MAIDS AND MASTERS

To the Editors of The Crimson:

I am writing to clarify the issues raised by the two Crimson articles of February 9th and February 11th concerning the use of the Master's Entertainment Fund and to distinguish the Master's Entertainment Fund from the Master's Administrative Stipend.

Individuals serving as House masters are required by the University to live in residences provided for that purpose and as part of their duties to entertain frequently students, members of the Faculty and visiting dignitaries. This arrangement benefits both the University and the students who gain from the social and intellectual contact with the masters and their guests. In recognition of the fact that the performance of these duties requires the maintenance of a large household and the serving of considerable quantities of refreshments beyond the normal family social needs, the University provides an entertainment fund to each of the masters. The master is free to use this fund in the manner which best fits the requirements of maintaining his or her residence. It is quite legitimate to use this fund for maid service and some masters choose to do so.

This last year the masters were also given an administrative stipend. The stipend is in addition to the master's salary and he is free to use it as he would any other part of his personal income. The stipend is given in part, in recognition of the fact that in taking on the position as master, the individual assumes additional costs such as the maintenance of his residence outside of Cambridge or the necessity of sending the children to private schools while he/she is living in Cambridge. It is also, in part, recognition of the fact that being a master is a difficult job which requires the individual to work harder than in in his/her normal position as a member of the teaching faculty or administration. Being a master is a job which requires a considerable personal sacrifice. It is also a very important job which is essential to the Harvard/Radcliffe educational system. The administrative stipend gives a partial recognition of these two aspects of the position. F.M. Pipkin   Associate Dean of the   Faculty for the Colleges